{"id":339049,"date":"2011-03-25T23:00:00","date_gmt":"2011-03-25T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/03\/25\/timaya%e2%80%99s-dem-mama-soldiers-the-untold-story\/"},"modified":"2011-03-25T23:00:00","modified_gmt":"2011-03-25T23:00:00","slug":"timayas-dem-mama-soldiers-the-untold-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/25\/timayas-dem-mama-soldiers-the-untold-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Timaya\u2019s Dem Mama Soldiers: The untold story"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

The name, Dem Mama Soldiers has been heard countless of times in Timaya’s lyrics, but the names and personalities that make-up Timaya’s music label have remained relatively unknown. MERCY MICHAEL recently visited their Marwa Garden mansion on a mission to unravel how the trio of Wrecoba, Allenia and TJ-2solo met with their hyperactive boss, Timaya<\/strong><\/p>\n

Allenia: I sacrificed my family and education for \u201cDem Mama Soldiers\u201d
<\/span><\/p>\n

ALLENIA’S involvement with Timaya began when he reunited with his childhood friend and present label mate TJ 2solo. \u201cI have been TJ’s friend from childhood but we lost contact for a while.\u00a0 I met him again and he had started taking music very seriously in church and I was also singing in the church choir at The Redeemed Christian Church of God. After we met he told me about this new friend of his, called Timaya who is promoting his new album. Tj\u00a0 invited me over to Timaya’s house and when I got there, I met Timaya\u00a0 and we discovered we shared a lot in common, before you knew it, I was running from school to Timaya’s house for rehearsal, sometimes I only come around because I enjoyed being around the crew.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In no time, Timaya’s album started bringing in money through shows and tours. The demands of being part of this emerging music family meant Allenia had to choose between school and music. Which did he follow and what was the result of his choice? \u201cI picked music. Boy, you do not want to know what happened. My father threatened to disown me, he said he never wanted to see me again; he constantly compared me to my younger ones who were doing well in school. He even tried to lure me out of the group with a promise to take me to the United Kingdom for me to start music overseas, yet I turned my back on him. I remember his text messages that used to make me cry all through the night\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the story with Allenia today who used to feel inferior to his younger siblings who are all graduates? \u201cIt’s really funny because they are the ones who wish to be like me today. My father is now in full support of my career in music. He talks to Timaya on phone frequently. As a matter of fact, the last time I was home, my family members were busy taking pictures with me. I am not regretting the choice I made.\u201d He said.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the beginning, Allenia and his other label mates who began the journey with Timaya as friends later had to relate with Timaya as the leader and the boss of \u201cDem Mama Soldiers\u201d Franchise. Allenia revealed more about the change: \u201cIt wasn’t easy at first, but we all knew what we wanted and it was very natural. We have had series of arguments but we have always sorted things out as matured men.<\/span><\/p>\n

Allenia first single entitled My Model is already on air with plans of a possible remix with 2face Idibia, even as he concludes plans to promote another single dubbedVampire.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

TJ 2SOLO: My father is now my fan
THE story of TJ and Timaya began in the streets of Agip Estate in Bayelsa state; \u201cTimaya was my neighbor. When we first met we were just kids with nothing like music in our heads. We just enjoyed each other’s company as Ijaw boys who reside in the same estate. When I reunited with Timaya, he was already talking living and breathing music. We hit Lagos together and I did a few backups and verses in his debut album, from then on, I have been a constant feature on Timaya’s songs and I also featured in his second and third album.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

TJ has been described as having some similarity with Timaya and he wears the same hairdo as that of Timaya. Does he get worried that he might not have his own identity when the label’s collective album is released? \u201cNot at all, TJ is TJ, and Timaya is Timaya. We might wear same dreads and have the same swag, but when you hear TJ you will know this is TJ\u00a0 …\u201d How? \u201cFirst, I am a lover of drums, because I use to play the drums and sing at the Assemblies of God Church. That love I have for drums has come to define my sound today. If you listen to my first single Ebere mole you will know my music is miles away from that of Timaya. That is one reason why I am not bothered about our similarities in fashion and style\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Has TJ ever felt bad taking orders from his childhood friend turned boss? Hear him: \u201cNot at all, he is a boss today I know if I work hard I will become my own boss tomorrow that is how it works.\u201d He added.<\/span><\/p>\n

TJ shares more than a choir boy experience with his friend and label mate because he was also persecuted by his parent for abandoning school for music and Dem Mama Soldiers. How was he able to convince his folks especially his father? \u201cNothing, I just kept doing my music and before long, my father heard of the exploits of Dem Mama Soldiers. Later he watched me on television; before long, he started appreciating what I am doing. Timaya’s constant appearance and visit to my house really helped in calming down his nerves as well.\u201d He said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wrecobah: \u201cIn Dem Mama Soldiers\u201d I believe
WRECOBAH is the last soldier to join Dem Mama Soldiers; surprisingly he was introduced to Timaya by his cousin and Timaya’s ex-lover Empress Njamah. Wrecobah tells his story; \u201cI knew little or nothing about Timaya after the release of his first album. It was my cousin Empress who told me to try and meet Timaya the next time he comes to FESTAC. I was not interested at first because I wasn’t sure of the kind of person he was, but when she called me one evening that Timaya was around I decided to go and greet him, the first words he said got me laughing. I was putting on baggie jeans and this big T-Shirt and Timaya gave me one look and scream ‘see American boy’ from there we all started laughing.\u00a0 The conversation that evening was on a light mood till he left that day\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

After his meeting with Timaya Wrecoba forgot about him and focused on plans of releasing his first career single which he had recorded at a time. While still concentrating on releasing his first single, a call from his cousin-Empress, came through on a faithful afternoon. Empress asked Wrecobah if he could come and join her in Port Harcourt, \u201cI said yes and I boarded a plane that day and landed in Port Harcourt and subsequently in Timaya’s house. After a few free style sessions, Timaya pulled me aside and said to me ‘I like your style and person; I want us to work together. Even if I break up with your cousin, I will stand by you.\u00a0 After that conversation, I never returned to Lagos again. That is how I became a member of Dem Mama Soldiers\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Things are beautiful today, what will happen to Wrecobah’s career if the entire Dem Mama Soldier family should fall apart; \u201cby God’s grace, we will not fall apart because we know we are in this together. Our prayers and plans are for us to keep churning out good music even in 50years time\u201d. He said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Waking and sleeping with Timaya in the same house must come with a lot of challenges, given the perceived arrogance of Timaya; \u201cTimaya is not arrogant. I am sure if you had Timaya’s fame you will do worse…\u201d Does pop culture come with arrogance in Wrecobah’s perspective? \u201cI am not saying he is arrogant, all I am saying is this, Timaya is living the star life\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

If not music what would Wrecobah had ventured into? \u201cI can’t think of anything else oh! Maybe I would have become a thief.\u201d He said.
Working under a commercially successful act like Timaya must have its own pressures for Wrecobah and other acts in the group. Who does he turn to for inspiration? \u201cI turn to God alone but I admire 2face because he is the icon of our music industry\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

See more here:
\nTimaya\u2019s Dem Mama Soldiers: The untold story<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The name, Dem Mama Soldiers has been heard countless of times in Timaya’s lyrics, but the names and personalities that make-up Timaya’s music label have remained relatively unknown. MERCY MICHAEL recently visited their Marwa Garden mansion on a mission to unravel how the trio of Wrecoba, Allenia and TJ-2solo met with their hyperactive boss, Timaya Allenia: I sacrificed my family and education for \u201cDem Mama Soldiers\u201d ALLENIA’S involvement with Timaya began when he reunited with his childhood friend and present label mate TJ 2solo. \u201cI have been TJ’s friend from childhood but we lost contact for a while.\u00a0 I met him again and he had started taking music very seriously in church and I was also singing in the church choir at The Redeemed Christian Church of God<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-339049","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-business"},"yoast_head":"\nTimaya\u2019s Dem Mama Soldiers: The untold story - Ghanamma.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/25\/timayas-dem-mama-soldiers-the-untold-story\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Timaya\u2019s Dem Mama Soldiers: The untold story - Ghanamma.com\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"The name, Dem Mama Soldiers has been heard countless of times in Timaya's lyrics, but the names and personalities that make-up Timaya's music label have remained relatively unknown. MERCY MICHAEL recently visited their Marwa Garden mansion on a mission to unravel how the trio of Wrecoba, Allenia and TJ-2solo met with their hyperactive boss, Timaya Allenia: I sacrificed my family and education for \u201cDem Mama Soldiers\u201d ALLENIA'S involvement with Timaya began when he reunited with his childhood friend and present label mate TJ 2solo. \u201cI have been TJ's friend from childhood but we lost contact for a while.\u00a0 I met him again and he had started taking music very seriously in church and I was also singing in the church choir at The Redeemed Christian Church of God\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/34eb9b7fthumbnail.php_9.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@ghanamma\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@ghanamma\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/25\/timayas-dem-mama-soldiers-the-untold-story\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/25\/timayas-dem-mama-soldiers-the-untold-story\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"\",\"@id\":\"\"},\"headline\":\"Timaya\u2019s Dem Mama Soldiers: The untold story\",\"datePublished\":\"2011-03-25T23:00:00+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/25\/timayas-dem-mama-soldiers-the-untold-story\/\"},\"wordCount\":1429,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/25\/timayas-dem-mama-soldiers-the-untold-story\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/34eb9b7fthumbnail.php_9.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Business\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/25\/timayas-dem-mama-soldiers-the-untold-story\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/25\/timayas-dem-mama-soldiers-the-untold-story\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/25\/timayas-dem-mama-soldiers-the-untold-story\/\",\"name\":\"Timaya\u2019s Dem Mama Soldiers: The untold story - Ghanamma.com\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/25\/timayas-dem-mama-soldiers-the-untold-story\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/25\/timayas-dem-mama-soldiers-the-untold-story\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/34eb9b7fthumbnail.php_9.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2011-03-25T23:00:00+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/25\/timayas-dem-mama-soldiers-the-untold-story\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/25\/timayas-dem-mama-soldiers-the-untold-story\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/34eb9b7fthumbnail.php_9.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/34eb9b7fthumbnail.php_9.jpg\"},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/\",\"name\":\"Ghanamma.com\",\"description\":\"News In Ghana - Latest Ghana News Headlines\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Timaya\u2019s Dem Mama Soldiers: The untold story - Ghanamma.com","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/25\/timayas-dem-mama-soldiers-the-untold-story\/","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"Timaya\u2019s Dem Mama Soldiers: The untold story - Ghanamma.com","twitter_description":"The name, Dem Mama Soldiers has been heard countless of times in Timaya's lyrics, but the names and personalities that make-up Timaya's music label have remained relatively unknown. 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